SP Clinic opens new daily X-ray lab

Thursday, July 11th, 2013

For several months, the members of Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) Ambergris Caye chapter have been raising funds to finance the construction of an x-ray room. The room was necessary for the installation of the x-ray machine for the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Poly-Clinic II. After the Ministry of Health indicated that they were unable to undertake such an initiative, the BTIA local chapter decided to step in and assist.

The BTIA action propelled the Ministry of Health to improve the level of health care being provided by the clinic over a 12-month period. After several meetings, the Ministry of Health agreed to provide the x-ray machine, if the BTIA could foot the bill of the construction of the room. On Monday July8th, the x-ray machine was officially installed and is ready to be used. Chairman of the Ambergris Caye BTIA Chapter Mukul Kanabar of The Phoenix Resort, together with other board members managed to fundraise about $27,000 BZ that was used to complete the project.

An x-ray room has been a long time necessity and is utterly essential for the island’s health care.In the past, patients were forced to either seek a private clinic on the island or had to be referred to a public medical facility in Belize City for X-ray services. That tedious process created delays in the provision of health care and in many instances, adversely affected low income families on the island.With the X-ray service room and machinenow in place, the Ministry of Health has hired the services of X-ray Technician Jedushi Roberts and the clinic is providing X-ray servicesdaily. The island community has one more addition to its health care system to count on.